Tomato Jam chef to start new project in January

On his final day as head chef of Tomato Jam Café, Chef Daniel Wright announces he is about to pioneer a new position at Loretta’s Café: Starting the first week of January, he will become Loretta’s director of catering.

“We created the position for him,” says owner Loretta Woolley of Wright, who was faced with reviewing employment options in the wake of Tomato Jam’s closing on Friday, Dec. 20. “We don’t have a full-time catering person and we have been looking for someone like Dan who really loves food and likes to experiment.”

Sharon Cobb has been a regular customer at Tomato Jam and works as a project manager for Loretta’s Café. When Cobb first got word that Wright would soon be available, she immediately introduced him to Woolley and they hit it off. Cobb knew Woolley was hoping to expand her business in the event space on the third floor of the building at 114 N. Lexington.

“The building that houses Loretta’s Cafe is huge,“says Cobb “There are two entrances—one on Broadway where the main sandwich shop is, and one on Lexington where we just opened a pastry bar and coffee shop—and then there’s the third floor event space.”

Wright says when he saw the beautiful space he was hooked and excited by all the possibilities. “I want to be a part of something that’s growing and maybe have an impact on business for them.” Wright says he has experience catering weddings, and he plans to do all types of events and parties.

The space can be rented for private functions, and Wright also has in mind some “Chef’s Night” events—sort of an underground supper club where he can showcase his talents. When asked how she feels about her new director of catering, Woolley says, “I’m excited by the young energy coming in.”